Today was the big day! Hiccup and Toothless were going to announce their twins to the Hooligan Tribe, and guests. It had been a long two weeks with Hiccup healing from the procedure that birthed his children, and also the feeding times. However, with Toothless's help, everything was more manageable. Hiccup was able to move more on his own after the first week, and Embla confirmed before she returned to Dragon Island that Hiccup was recovering fantastically, and the wound was closed. Embla removed the stitching and still advised to keep on the cleaning, and use and ointment she made to promote healing and offer some pain relief. Hiccup used it three times a day, and during the second week of recovery, Hiccup was able to get up on his own, use the bathroom, and even pick up one child at a time. He could sit up easier and lay flat, so he was happy to not be so restricted anymore. The twins were on a very decent schedule for their feedings, and usually ended up being that one would feed before the others, so that made things easier for Hiccup too. The kids would start their feedings at 5 am, then another at 9 am, and so on every 3-4 hours until about 11:30 pm where the twins actually somehow made it all night long. Hiccup suspected it was the half-dragon side of them that made it so they knew when it was time to sleep longer without food. Embla said this was fine, and not to worry.
Draco had gone home with Eskil, Balder, Davin, Cort, and Ava when Embla did. Ryuka promised she'd return home after the ceremony today, she was still helping Hiccup and Toothless out if they needed it. Stoick was handling the village, but everyone knew that and didn't mind because they knew Stoick was the former chief and everything ran smoothly. The chieftains and their heirs were still on the island, but after tonight's celebration; they would be returning home and Hiccup was grateful. Hiccup hated that they'd stayed this long out of curiosity. In the past, leaders wouldn't come to see the child and brings gifts for the new heir until after birth. While Hiccup was able to move around more, he was still sore so Embla did say another week before that wore off, potentially. Embla mentioned something about Hiccup not feeling completely better until he reworked his stomach muscles with more movement, so Hiccup was under directions to try and get some walking in every day, and that would help.
It was September 19th, and a Saturday at 5:00 pm in the great hall. Everyone was there, being guided by Stoick and Gobber as Hiccup and Toothless would a bit late in order to feed the kids first and get them changed. Also, Hiccup had to find some clothes to wear because while he was just about back to his pre-pregnancy appearance, he wasn't all the way and still had a bit of a belly. This would basically be the first time anyone had seen Hiccup, Toothless since the birth, and no one knew the names except those who had been part of the family dinner two weeks ago.
"Are we almost ready, Hic?" Toothless asked as he came out from the bathroom to see Hiccup sitting on the couch with Valda attached to his nipple.
"Just about, Tooth. Erling is finished and ready, but Val, I guess, is still hungry…" Hiccup told him as he looked down to check on their daughter.
"I guess she has my appetite," Toothless chuckled as he glanced at a sleeping Erling, then sat down next to Hiccup to wait for Valda to finish eating.
"And hair," Hiccup pointed out.
"And Erling seems to have your hair, but my eyes." Toothless smiled. "But Valda has your eyes and freckles."
"The perfect mix of us both," Hiccup nodded. "We're probably the luckiest couple anywhere, Toothless. A dragon and a human, both males and in love, we able to mate/marry…Plus have kids.
"I agree," Toothless replied. "And to think it all came from you shooting me down and sparing me," He laughed.
"Yeah, but you spared me…That started our friendship, but what started our love was when we went crossed over into having sex." Hiccup reminded. "That allowed us to get closer, and fall in love,"
"Well, you were right…This was worth fighting for. Our love was strong enough to survive everything we had worried would separate us. And it is still that strong," Toothless said.
"We have a true love," Hiccup leaned over against his mate.
"Yes we do, and now…That love has given us a family," Toothless smiled.
"And I couldn't be more happy," Hiccup relaxed.
"Me neither," Toothless agreed lightly.
Valda finally stopped sucking and let go, so Hiccup propped her up on his shoulder and patted her back until she gave a good burp. Toothless took over getting her ready as Hiccup got up slowly and took a few breaths before preparing to leave with his mate and two kids. Toothless carried the kids up the stairs, and Hiccup was beside him with the bag of extra blankets, cloth diapers, and clothes. It took a bit to get up the stairs because Hiccup was still quite sore and the wound was mostly closed, but Embla had said hitting a corner or stretching too much could open it again, so they had to be careful. Soon, Hiccup was at the door and managed to pull it open so that Toothless could get in with the babies first, then himself.
"Chief!" Spitelout was first to say something.
"Ya look great for giving birth two weeks ago!" Mulch joined in.
"How are you doing?" Sven asked.
"Settle down, settle down…" Hiccup told them. "Don't wake the kids, they'll just want to eat again." He informed. "But thank you and I'm doing alright," He said to answer the two people who said something.
Toothless and Hiccup reached the chief's table and Hiccup put down the bag. "You okay?" Toothless asked. The man was very attentive to Hiccup's well-being, but it was because Hiccup was still healing and they didn't need any accidents.
"I'll be okay for a few minutes to do introductions," Hiccup reassured as Toothless nodded. "Alright then, let's get this started…" He smiled as everyone took a seat, but was facing forward. "Before the ceremony to welcome mine and Toothless's children into the tribe and reveal their names; I would just like to thank everyone that has supported this whole thing, and all those who helped. I know I was not the easiest person to be around while pregnant, and that being said, I also apologize to everyone I snapped at." Hiccup looked out to the tribe. "Everyone seems to say that they're lucky to have me as chief, and to that I say it right back that I'm lucky to have all of you. And by all, I mean the Hooligan Tribe. Can't be chief of a tribe without a tribe, right? So I wouldn't be here as chief if not for all of you. I am immensely thankful and blessed to have all of you in my life, and I'm grateful that with all my screw ups in the past…No one has voted to throw me off the island," Most of the tribe laughed. "We may all not be related, but we are all friends…Family. We are one family and for someone like me who only grew up with my dad and a crazy uncle,"
"HEY!" Gobber shouted as more laughed.
"It can't be argued, Gobber…But it means a lot to me to have all of you in my life. It is definitely my pleasure and honor to be protecting, and providing for all of you. Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart for accepting me as your chief." Hiccup said.
"You did way more for us over the years, Hiccup," Someone said.
"The least we can do is accept and support your decisions. After all, they work out for everyone, in the end." Another mentioned.
"Sure, maybe it's a bit out there…But you love who you love, and it is a lucky miracle that you and your husband are able to make a family," Stoick nodded.
"We're all proud to call you our chief, and happy to reside under your leadership," Gobber added.
Hiccup knew he wasn't overly emotional and pregnant anymore, but hearing all that really did make him happy and like he might cry. "Okay, enough sentimentality! You may not be our chief, but all of us in some way, are grateful and love you too. I mean, ya did end the war with dragons and make life easier for everyone. Now…Introduce us to those kids!" Heather called forth.
"Alright, alright…" Hiccup nodded as he turned to get his daughter from Toothless. "Today, Hooligans and guests, my husband and I would like for you to meet our children. First, our daughter, Valda Haddock; her name means ruling protection and she was given her name as a tribute to my mother." Hiccup adjusted slightly for everyone to see Valda fast asleep in his arms. "And over here is our son, Erling Haddock, who's name means son of a chief." Toothless shifted a bit to reveal the boy, also sleeping. "From this day forth, though technically they joined two weeks ago; as chief of the Hooligans, I welcome these two babies into the tribe as heir and heiress!" He announced proudly.
The tribe burst into applause, so did the visiting chieftains and heirs. Toothless used the arm that wasn't holding Erling to wrap around Hiccup's waist and pull him over, then lean his head down to capture Hiccup's lips. It held a few moments before they broke the action and stared into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Hiccup," Toothless said gently.
"I love you too, Toothless," Hiccup responded lovingly.
"Save it for later, bring the kids closer so we can see better!" Stoick yelled.
Toothless and Hiccup laughed a little. "Afterwards. We just got them to sleep, so how about we all eat and by then they'll wake up to be changed. That'll be holding and seeing time," Toothless informed. "I'll get the basket, babe," He handed Erling to Hiccup to hold. "You got both?"
"I'm alright for a minute." Hiccup nodded.
Toothless got the basket off his back and set it up on the extended poles to look more like a bassinet. Carefully, both kids were set inside and covered up to stay warm. "Let's eat," Toothless said.
"You heard him, everyone. Let's all eat and enjoy the celebration!" Hiccup called out.
Everyone cheered and began eating, chatting with friends. Hiccup and Toothless sat down, and soon began to eat too. This was absolutely perfect, and nothing could be better than having everyone all together and getting along. For Hiccup, it meant so much more as he'd told everyone before. Ever since bonding with Toothless, and ending the war; this is what he wanted. Peace. Who knew he and Toothless becoming friends, then lovers, and having a family would bring all that. It was just funny to Hiccup and Toothless that their little sexual rendezvous turned into something so amazing and perfect. It just went to show that anything could happen, and anything was possible when you fought for what you believed in. For what you loved. And Hiccup would always fight for what he had right now; true love, happiness, and peace. Nothing could ever be better than this.